Lucknow

Lucknow currently houses a population of almost 2.5 million in an area of around 162.7 sq km. It is the political and administrative capital of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India and has always been a major trading city of the north. The growth of Lucknow in recent years has resulted in huge demand for transport. Transport infrastructure, however, has not grown correspondingly and is therefore highly inadequate leading to a dramatic rise in the number of vehicles. The introduction of CNG as an automotive fuel has provided a limited scope of improvement in city’s ambient air quality and it needs to be followed by second generation reforms of infrastructural development.

Change Makers

Policy action

Lucknow is among the most polluted cities in the country. Lack of transport infrastructure and growing number of vehicles further exacerbates the problem. First generation action saw introduction of CNG, construction of flyovers and upgradation of the city bus services. Policy decisions and action so far in the city